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Experimental Animal Biology (BIOL30002)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will provide students with the opportunity to gain a first-hand laboratory experience of the structure and function of critical endocrine and neuroendocrine systems, including the reproductive system, and how environmental factors can affect an animal’s physiology. Students will gain experience in experimental design, cutting-edge research techniques, data analysis, and scientific report writing and will be introduced to the practicalities of conducting a 5-week project in a research laboratory.
This subject gives students of science and biomedical science a solid foundation in laboratory practice in experimental animal biology. Students will be provided with an opportunity to engage in an authentic experience of scientific research: addressing questions in animal physiology to generate a hypothesis; designing an experiment; hands-on experience in the use of experimental animals; working in a group to complete the experiments and to collect and analyse the data; writing up an individual final report in the format of a scientific manuscript; and peer-review.
Intended learning outcomes
By the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- evaluate modern experimental approaches of animal biology and interventionist techniques;
- discuss and appraise issues in using animals in experimental studies;
- collaborate effectively with peers in a team to achieve excellent project outcomes;
- determine and compare the structure and function of cellular and organ systems;
- explain neural and endocrine control systems and their role in the regulation of biological processes; and
- undertake the process by which scientists move from an original idea to a final published paper.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should have gained skills in:
- identifying, compiling and synthesising new knowledge from observations and the literature;
- making and recording scientific observations;
- evaluating and analysing data in an objective manner as part of practical class report writing;
- formulating hypotheses, succinctly conveying and defending a rationale;
- the ethical use of animals in experimentation; and
- cooperative teamwork through small group based practical work.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
25 credit points from
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
BIOM20002 | Human Structure and Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
CEDB20003 | Fundamentals of Cell Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GENE20001 | Foundations of Genetics and Genomics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20031 | Analysis of Biological Data | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYS20008 | Human Physiology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
PHYS20009 | Research-Based Physiology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ZOOL20006 | Comparative Animal Physiology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Students with equivalent alternative backgrounds should discuss their options with the coordinator.
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
Students who complete this subject cannot normally also gain credit for: BIOL30008
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended students have or are completing BIOL30001 Reproductive Physiology if they wish to undertake a reproductive biology focussed research project.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Group work and individual written task related to practicals. 2 individual written tasks (no more than 100 words each worth 5% each) and completed in class time, due weeks 1-4 and weeks 10-11
| During the teaching period | 10% |
Individual written work relating to practicals
| Week 5 | 15% |
Individual 5-week Research Project Proposal
| Week 6 | 10% |
Peer and Supervisor assessment of group 5-week project practical contribution. 2% peer and 3% supervisor, in class time.
| From Week 10 to Week 12 | 5% |
Peer-reviewed 5-week group oral presentation
| Week 12 | 10% |
Individual 5-week Research Project Report
| During the examination period | 50% |
Additional details
The group presentation component will be partially assessed by other students. All students will be required to review group presentations of their peers. This will contribute to the total 10% allocated for the oral presentation.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinators Liz Bromfield and Nathan Burke Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x one hour lecture/tute per week; 1 x four hour practical class/laboratory-based research work time per week; one 4 hour excursion late in the semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 1 July 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours Students are strongly encouraged to attend all lectures and pracs.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 40 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-bsc-continuing/quota-subjects
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Zoology Major Zoology Informal specialisation Molecular Biotechnology Informal specialisation Molecular Biotechnology specialisation Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024